January 7, 2022

Standardized test scores in California fell during year in distance learning

Among the 24% of students who took the Smarter Balanced assessments in 2020-21, achievement gaps widened, and the youngest students struggled.

John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis

December 13, 2021

When 'making the grade' takes on new meaning

I knew this year would test my personal code of ethics about grades: Effort and improvement should supersede a grade.

Anne Vasquez

November 1, 2021

Now is the time for learner-centered, whole-child education

We must not allow our desire to return to “normal” and our conditioning to the status quo to pull us back to what was familiar before the pandemic.

Devin Vodicka, Kim Smith, Jen Holleran, and Jean-Claude Brizard

September 10, 2021

California will give a short version of its standardized math and English tests next spring

State Board agrees to cut as much as 2 hours from lengthy Smarter Balanced assessments; parents won't receive as many details as in past.

John Fensterwald

July 21, 2021

Tired of the same old student assessments? This fund wants to help

The Advanced Education Research & Development Fund is calling for project proposals on how assessment can be done better.

Sydney Johnson

May 4, 2021

Hundreds of thousands of California students won’t take statewide standardized tests this spring

California released updated guidance for school districts deciding whether Smarter Balanced or a local assessment is their more viable option.

Sydney Johnson

May 3, 2021

California state board likely to adopt long-awaited ‘student growth model’ to measure test scores

The new method of tracking individual students' Smarter Balanced scores should provide a more useful measure of schools' and districts' progress.

John Fensterwald

April 8, 2021

Local assessments an option if Smarter Balanced tests ‘not viable,’ U.S. education officials affirm

California state officials have not yet outlined in detail what conditions must exist for a district to select an alternative assessment.

Sydney Johnson

April 2, 2021

Local assessments an option if statewide tests aren't viable during pandemic, California officials signal

California’s plan would still offer Smarter Balanced assessments in math and English language arts, the California Science Test, as well as tests for English learners.

Sydney Johnson

March 17, 2021

California could allow school districts to choose their own standardized tests this year

Groups opposing local assessments argue that the results will not be easily or accurately compared on a statewide level.

Sydney Johnson

February 22, 2021

Schools must give standardized tests this year, Biden administration says

It’s been unclear whether the Biden administration would offer testing waivers as many school districts continue to operate with distance learning.

Sydney Johnson

February 10, 2021

California schools struggle to test English learners’ progress during pandemic

The spread of the coronavirus and the digital divide are obstacles for testing students' English skills.

Zaidee Stavely

February 9, 2021

California teachers grapple with grading nearly a year after initial school closures

Many districts are seeing surges in Fs and Ds during distance learning, prompting a revision of expectations and policies around grades.

Sydney Johnson

February 8, 2021

New data shines light on student achievement progress — and gaps — in California and US

The data points to a widening achievement gap between white and Black students.

Carolyn Jones

January 26, 2021

Initial data for California confirm early grades, low-income children hit hardest by ‘learning loss’

A study of 50,000 students from 18 districts reaffirm that those who have traditionally struggled fell farther behind academically.

John Fensterwald